Collapsible ironing board



May 23, 1933. c. A. FORNEY COLLAPSIBLE IRONING BOARD Filed June 23, 1930 2 Shets-Sheet l R s 1 m m m R V O m w A EEYLIAFEITTEEH May 23, 1933.

c. A. FORNEY 1,910,006

COLLAPSIBLE IRONING BOARD Filed June 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l |NVEN TOR.

E a1 A'FJPE ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 23, 1933 PATENT OFFICE car. a ro'amfir, or eosmm, INDIANA OOLLAPSIBLE mom BOARD Application filed June 23, 1930. Serial No. 463,807.

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible ironing boards.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved collapsible iron-' ing board of the character generally set forth in my U. S. Patents #1,653,355, #1,762,924 and #1,836,913, embodying improvements thereover for economically manufacturing the board with a simple supporting construction which may be collapsedvery compactly or arranged in a sturdy and rigid set-up condition.

' A further object of this invention isthe provision. of improved means for rigidly bracing and tensioning the supporting structure of collapsible ironing boards.

' Qther objects and advantages of this in vention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved ironing board in its set-up condition.

- Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the collapsed ironing boa d. Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the ironing board in its partiallysset-up condition. Figured: is a bottom plan view of the ironing board, showing the arrangement of supporting legs and braces in a final set-up condi'tion.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken through one of the connections between a leg and brace, substantially on the lihe 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspectiveview of another type of leg and brace construc-- 40 tion. f v Figure '2' is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the connection of Figure- 6, showing the brace and leg in section.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration. is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate the collapsible ironing. board which may include a board proper B, having rear collapsible supporting legs C and D connected therewith, relatively con-.

nected by collapsible brace means F. A front leg G is collapsibly connected with the board B. An upper bracing structure H is provided between-the legs C and D and the board B, l and an improved bracing structure K connects the legs CD and G, forthe purpose of rigidly bracing and connecting the legs for synchronous movement.

The board B is of the conventional shape, and it is preferably provided with transverse reinforcing cleats 11 and 12 thereon, preferably adjacent the connections ofthe legs CD.and G respectively.

The legs C and D are loosely pivoted beneath the board by means ofaninverted U- shaped metal bracket 12, provided with de-' pending ears 13 and 14, loosely receiving piv- .ots 16 therein. These pivots 16 extend through the upper ends of the legs C and D, and enable said legsto be pivoted beneath the board, let us say at the rear end of the board, so that said legs may swing to a collapsed position upon the board, or be extended to a right angled relation therewith and then spread apart; these three positions being shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 respectively. This structural arrangement has been set forth in my above identified Patent #1362924.

The leg G, which may be termed the front so leg; is movably connected in any approved. manner beneath the board, and preferably along the longitudinal center line of the boar spaced from the connection of the legs C and D, and intended to form the support for the board near the narrow end of the board. This leg G, as shown in the drawings, and as set forth in my above identified pendin'g application, is pivotally connected at 20 to right angled brackets 21 aflixed beneath vided with a beveled upper end 22 which abuts beneath the bottom ofthe board when the leg G is in a maximum set-up position,

and permits the movement of this leg towards the other legs. In this position the leg G is diagonally positioned sloping from the board B in the direction, of the narrow end of the board.

The brace means H preferably consists of "a pair of diagonal braces 25 and 26, which are respectively connected by an improved type of clip 27 in a pivotal relation to the legs C and D. The braces and 26 at their opposite ends with respect to the connections 27 have a connection with the bottom of the board B, preferably by means of a U-shaped wire link 30, which at its bight portion is pivotally connected at 31 direct upon the board and near the longitudinal center line of the board, and forwardly in advance of the pivot connection of the leg G above described. This link and its connections with, the board have been set forth in my above identified Patent #1,836,913 and need not be further detailed. They do not necessarily have to be positively connected to the board at their up- 30 perends except when in set-up condition, and

the function of these braces is to serve to hold r :the supporting legs G and D in a set-upposition. These cross braces 25 and 26', which may generally be referred to as the top cross braces relative to' the braces K to be subsequently described, are provided with a transverse pivoting metal connection 32, which serves not only. to hold the braces 25 and 26 together, but which is adapted to abut against 4 the rear side of the leg G when in set-up position, to hold said leg G in a rigidlybraced position. A detent clip 33 is provided on the rear; surface of the leg G, for this purpose,

and it has a cam-shaped projection terminating in a shoulder 34, against which the piece 32 abuts. This has been generically set forth in: my above identified Patent #1,836,913. The cleat 12 is positioned so that the front ends of the braces 25 and 26 engage against the rear side thereof when in section, to further rigidly brace the members 25 and 26 with respect to the board B, although this is not essential.

The clips 27 are of improved const: uction,

and as generally shown in Figures6 and 7 of the drawings, they each consist of a channelshaped body portion 37, wherein the end of; one of the brace members 25 or 26, as the case may be, extends, and is fixedly clamped by means of a' transverse bolt, shown at 38- in Figure 7 of the drawings. .The bodies 37 b of each clip 27 are provided with a cup shaped extension 40, convexly offset laterally of the outer surface of the channel body 37,

as shown in Figure 7, and centrally apertured at 41, for receiving a bolt or pin 42 by means of which the clips may be pivotallyconneded in a loose rocking connection uponthe legs C or D, as the case may be, at apoint intermediate the respective legs to which pivoted. It is to be noted that a washer 43 is interposed in the concavity of the cup and held therein by the pin 42, so that a loose onnection of the clip 27 is established upon the legs. This is essential since thereby the 54 and 55 to opposite legs C an D, as shown in Figure ,2 of the drawings. These brace devices50 and 51 at each of the pivots connecting their longer and shorter portions are provided with pivot saddles 57, which permit the portions 52 and 53 tobend into collapsed relation,'but limit their extension to a straight line .bracing extension-as shown in Figure 4, when the-legs C and D are spread apart.

-The function of these braces 50 and 51' is of course to hold the legs 0 and D in a spread apart relatively downward divergent rela-" .tion, and they perform their function very efliciently. The saddles 57 "permit the portions 52 and 53 to swing past dead center with respect to their end pivots, andtherefrom the portions 52 and 53 must be manually collapsed in order to bring the legs C and D together in a collapsed relation. This has been more specifically set forth in my above identified patent. l

Thebrace means K preferably consists of a substantially V-shaped wire brace consisting of the lengths 60 and 61, which at its bight portion is pivotally connected at 62 near the lower end of the front leg G, preferably in a non-sliding pivot connection. The lengths 60 and 61 extend rearwardly divergently from the connection 62, and at their rear ends they are pivotally connected b clips 64 to the legs C and D respectively.

ese clips '64 areof the general form shown in- Figure 5 of the drawings, and each of them includes a flat portion 66, apertured for receiving a pin 67, by means of whichthe clip may be pivoted to the inner side of the respective legs C or D, as the case may At their forward ends the portions 66 havetransverse or right angled portions 68, and 'in turn the portions 68 at their free ends are provided with preferably flat brace con necting portions 70, apertured transversely clip portions 70 and the inner sides of the:

respective legs to which they are pivoted. It

is to be noted that these clips 64 are pivoted by the pins 67 to the legs C and D at a point above the respective pivot connections 42 of the clips 27. It is further to be noted that the lengths 60 and 61 are dispwed to the outer sides of the braces and 26.-

An improved feature which aids very materially in stabilizing the supporting means when in set-up positionis the relative arrangement of the brace means K and with respect to the legs C and D. As will be noted from Figure 2 the wire brace lengths 60 and 61 lie collapsed flat beneath the board B between the collapsed braces 56 and the rear legs C and D, so that the parts are arranged fiat in the same plane beneath the board. They are retained collapsed in-this relation by means of a pivoted latch 80, shown in Figure 2. In order to set up the supporting means for the board it is necessary to swing the latch 80 to the position shown in Figure 3, and thereafter the legs C- and D are extended, as is also the front leg G; these legs being simultaneouslyextended due to the synchronizing connection K. When in set-up condition prior to lateral expansion of the legs C and D, the supporting structure will be positioned as shown in Figure 3, and in this position it is to be noted that the wire bracing means K is not under any tension whatsoever, since the mere extension of the legs C, D and G does not place the lengths and 61 under any lateral on longitudinal tension. It merely positions these wire rods or lengths so that upon lateral extension of the legs C and D from the position siown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4, the braces 25 and 26 will move so that their outer surfaces will engage against the brace lengths 60 and 61, intermediate the ends of the respective wire brace rods or lengths, and which will cause an outward bowing of said lengths 60 and 61, so that when the braces 50 and 51 are fully in set-up position for holding the legs C and D extended in rigid set-up position, these wire lengths 60 and 61 will be laterally flexed and under tension, causing them, to hold the legs CD and G in a relatively r-igidlybraced relation. Inasmuch as the brace means H holds the legs C and D agaimt forward collapsing, it is quite apparent that this tensioning of the brace means K in the manner described very effectively pulls the lower end of the front leg Gr rearwardly and braces it against the board, preventing the same from wobbling either laterally or longitudinally. Likewise this tensioning of the means K places a thrust on the braces 25 and 26, for effectively clamping the same against and beneath the board B. \Vhile I realize that it is old in the art to longitudinally tension wire rods, such as 60 and 61, and that is the manner in which I formerly tensioned the said rods, as evidenced in my above identified patents, yet such means of tensioning did not prove so eiiective as the lateral flexing and ultimate tensioning of the wire rods'60 and 61, as I herein accomplish this result. Of course, the wire lengths 60 and 61, or rods, since either term is suitable, are resilient in a lateral direction, so that when the braces 50 and 51 are collapsed the said lengths will return to' their normal positions.

It is possible to depart materially from the supporting construction specifically shown, and yet effect the tensioning by. lateral flexing of the braces 60 and 61. Thus, it is possible to have the connections of the said brace rods or lengths 60 and 61' direct on the board B at their upper ends, although such means of connection will not be as effective as that specifically shown. Further- 'more, it is entirely possible to accomplish the lateral flexing and tensioning of thewire brace lengths 60 and 61 other than by engagement of the braces 25 and 26 thereagainst, upon spreading the legs C and D, although the means specifically shown is thought to be simplest and most eflicient. while the brace means H and K may be specifically referred to as top and bottom braces,

they may be otherwise arranged than the terms would imply, and the legs C, D and G may be differently arranged upon the board B than that shown. I

Various changes in the shape, size. and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of.invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I'claim:

1. In a collapsible ironing board the combination of a board proper, front and rear collapsible supporting legs for the board, connecting brace means for holding said legs to gether, and means laterally engaging and placing under tension said connecting brace means to stabilize said front and rear legs upon setting up of said front and rear legs.

2. In a collapsible ironing board the combination of a board proper, front and rear collapsible supporting legs for the board, a flexible connecting brace holding said legs together, and means holding said rear'legs in a set up position and laterally engaging and flexing said flexible connecting brace to stabilize said front and rear legs upon setting up of said front and rear legs.

. 3. In a collapsible ironing-board structure the combination of aboard proper, front and rear supporting legs movably collapsible upon said board, and means for holding said legs in braced extended relation including a wire brace, and means laterally flexing said wire brace for tensioning the same.

4. In a collapsible ironing board the combination of a board proper, a pair'of rear legs movably connected in spaced relation be neath the board in such manner that they may be moved laterally towards and away from each other and movably collapsed and extended with respect to leg pivotally connected with the board, brace means between the rear legs and the board for holding the rear legs extended against clips pivotally connected with the the board, aafront front collapsing upon the board, means to hold the rear legs in collapsibly expanded spread relation, and brace means connecting the front leg intermediate its ends with the.

rear legs and in position to be engaged by the brace means first mentioned upon the spreading of the rear legs at points intermediate the ends of said last mentioned brace means for tensioning the same. I

5. In a collapsible ironing board the combination of a board proper, a pair of rear legs movably connected with the board so as to be moved relative to each other at their free ends and collapsed or extended with respect to the board, a front leg movably connected with the board, braces-.movably connected inter-mediatecthe ends of the rear legs and at their opposite ends with the board for holding the rear legs against collapsing, and an elongated, V- shaped brace movabl connected at one end near the lower end 0 the front leg and with its arms extending therefrom and crossing relatively close to their terminals at the outer sides of the braces first mentioned and at their terminals connected with the rear legsat locations spaced relativelyclose to the 'connections of the first braces with said rear legs,

whereby upon spreading of the rear legs the braces first nientioned will move against and laterally tension and adjacent wire brace relatively far from the medial portion of said arms.

6. In a collapsible ironing board structure, a board proper, neath the ironing board, a brace for each of the legs, a clip connected with each of said braces at the rear end thereof having 'a rearwardly extending cup-shaped transversely apertured head, and pivot pins through the apertures of the heads loosely pivoting the clips upon the inner sides of the respective rear legs, each of said cup-shaped heads having a convex surface facing the surface of the leg to which it is loosely connected.

having gonnectiono I 7. In a collapsible ironing board structure bow said arms of said a pair of legs pivoted be- 

